indian archaeology 1980-81 a review

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INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1980-81A REVIEW

EDITED BY

DEBALA

MITTRADirector General

Archaeological Survey of India

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

NEW DELHI

1983


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Cover : rock-paintings, Bhimbetka

1983

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Prices : Rs. 65.00

PRINTED AT NABA MUDRAN PRIVATE LIMITED, CALCUTTA, 700004


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PREFACE

This is the twenty-eighth issue of theReview containing report on archaeological activitiesin various fields including certain spheres of interdisciplinary researches. Thanks to thePhysical Research Laboratory, Ahmadabad, and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre,Bombay, we have now been able to introduce a sub-section on the thermoluminescence

dating. I hope these institutions along with the Birbal Sahani Institute of Palaeobotany,Lucknow, will continue to devote their time and attention to the cause ofarchaeological research in India. It is a matter of great satisfaction that the DeccanCollege Post-graduate and Research Institute, Pune, has stepped forward for undertakingmultidisciplinary archaeological investigations.

The manuscript for theReview for 1981-82 will shortly be sent to the press; it is hopedthat the issue will be printed off by the end of this year. Much of the time incompilation can be saved if all the contributors follow the pattern systematized in the

Review and use the spelling of place-names as given in the maps of Survey of India.

Apart from the items relating to the activities of Archaeological Survey which have been

supplied by my colleagues in Headquarters, Circles and Branches, the material wasreceived as usual from various State Governments, Universities and other researchorganizations. I am deeply beholden to all the contributors and apologize for anyomissions and commissions that might have occurred.

I express my sincere appreciation of the cooperation I received from H. Sarkar, J. S.Nigam, K. P. Gupta, C. Dorje, S. R. Varma and Arundhati Banerji in the preparationand publication of the present Review. My thanks are also due to Messrs NabaMudran Private Ltd., Calcutta for their close cooperation in printing this issue within aremarkable short time.

New Delhi

4 October, 1983 DEBALA MITRA


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C ONTENTSPAGE

I.Explorations and Excavations

Andhra Pradesh 1; Arunachal Pradesh 8; Bihar 8; Goa, Daman and Diu 10 ; Gujarat 10;

Haryana 15; Jammu and Kashmir 21; Karnataka 26; Kerala 31; Madhya Pradesh 31;Maharashtra 39; Manipur 44; Nagaland 44; Or issa 44; Punjab 45; Ra jasthan 51;Sikkim 63; Tamil Nadu 65; Uttar Pradesh 66; West Bengal 76

II. Epigraphy 78Sanskritic and Dravidic Inscriptions 78

Andhra Pradesh 78; Gujarat 79; Haryana 79; Kerala 80; Karnataka 80; MadhyaPradesh 81; Maharashtra 81;Tamil Nadu 81

Arabic and Persian Inscriptions 83Andhra Pradesh 83; Gujarat 83; Jammu and Kashmir 84; Maharashtra 84; Uttar Pradesh 84

III.Numismatics and Treasure Troves 86Andhra Pradesh 86; Goa, Daman and Diu 86; Gujarat 86; Karnataka 87; Maha-rashtra 88; Rajasthan 88

IV. Other Important Discoveries 89Andhra Pradesh 89; Gujarat 89; Haryana 91; Himachal Pradesh 91; Jammu andKashmir 91; Karnataka 91 ; Madhya Pradesh 92; Maharashtra 92; Mizoram 93;Orissa 93; Punjab 93; Rajasthan 93; Tamil Nadu 94; Uttar Pradesh 94; West Bengal96

V. Radiocarbon and Thermoluminescence Dates 97Radiocarbon Dates 97Samples from India 97

Madhya Pradesh 97; Maharashtra 98; Rajasthan 98; Uttar Pradesh 99Samples from Abroad 99

Pakistan 99

Thermoluminescence Dates 100Andhra Pradesh 102; Gujarat 102; Punjab 103; Rajasthan 104; Uttar Pradesh 104

VI. Palacobotanical and Pollen Analytical Investigation 106Samples from India 106

Andhra Pradesh 106; Jammu and Kashmir 107; Madhya Pradesh 108; Maharashtra 108;Uttar Pradesh 110

Samples from Abroad 110Sri Lanka 110

VII. Museums 111

VIII. Architectural Survey of Temples 118

Northern Region 118; Southern Region 119

IX. Preservation of Monuments 124Monuments of National Importance 124

Central Circle 124; Delhi Circle 127; Eastern Circle 129; Mid-eastern Circle 129; Mid-

southern Circle 131; Northern Circle 135; North-western Circle 138; Southern Circle 141;

South- eastern Circle 145; South-western Circle 146; Western Circle 146Monuments maintained by the States 148

Andhra Pradesh 148; Goa 149; Gujarat 149; Karnataka 150; Madhya Pradesh 150;Orissa 151; Rajasthan 151; West Bengal 152


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X. Archaeological Chemistry 154Treatment of Monuments and Paintings 154

Andhra Pradesh 154; Delhi 154; Goa, Daman and Diu 155; Gujarat 156; Himachal Pradesh 156; Jammu and Kashmir 156; Karnataka 157; Kerala 157; Madhya Pradesh 158;Maharashtra 159; Orissa 160; Rajasthan 160; Tamil Nadu 160; Uttar Pradesh 161; WestBengal 162

Treatment of Excavated Objects and Museum Exhibits 163

XI. Archaeological Gardens 165Andhra Pradesh 165; Bihar 165; Delhi 165; Goa, Daman and Diu 166; Gujarat 166; HimachalPradesh 166; Jammu and Kashmir 166; Karnataka 166; Madhya Pradesh 166; Maharashtra 167;Orissa 167; Rajasthan 167; Uttar Pradesh 168

XII.Publications 169Publications of the Survey 169; other Publications 169


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INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1980-81

A REVIEW

I. EXPLORATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS

ANDHRA PRADESH

1.EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT CUDDAPAH.Two mounds were located near thevillage Tallapaka by the Registering Officer of the Department of Archaeology andMuseums, Govern-ment of Andhra Pradesh. These mounds yielded pottery consistingof black and black-and-redwares, a lotus medallion and several brick structures.

2. EXCAVATION AT RAJAHMUNDRY,DISTRICT EAST GODAVARI.In continuation ofthe last year's (Indian Archaeology 1979-80A Review,1 p. 1) work the Department ofArchaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, resumed excavation with a

view to expose more structures.

The excavation shows that the earliest settlement took place over a river-bornesilt superimposed by a fine gravel deposit. A circular brick structure (brick size: 42 to35 x 25 to 23 cm), with a diameter of 3.6 m internally and 85 cm in height, belonged tothis phase. The finds include coarse red ware ascribable to circa sixth-seventh centuryAD.A square brick cella of 3.5 m side, with an antechamber (2.2 x 1.65 m), facing east,was exposed in the succeeding phase. Its floor was laid with two brick coursesplastered with lime. This stratum may be ascribed to the thirteenth century AD.Contemporaneous with the cella are two brick walls, with an extant height of 1.1 m and0.50 m. The average brick size is 30 x 20 cm. The pottery represents a grey ware.Excavation also revealed superimposition of the aforesaid cella by a badly-damaged

stone structure. A number of stone balls along with a damaged cannon were found inassociation with the structure. The pottery of this phase consisted of medieval greyware. The latest structural activity was represented by a brick built (size : 25 x 12 cm)channel intended to carry water lifted from the river Godavari. Besides grey ware, therewere some fine porcelains bearing beautiful floral designs in different colourcombination.

3. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICTS EAST GODAVARI AND PRAKASAM.With a view tostudying coastal and hinterland land-forms and to correlate the effects of sea-level changeswith the Stone Age sites S. N. Rajaguru, R. S. Pappu, M. L. K. Murty, J. V. Prasad Raoof the Deccan College Post-graduate and Research Institute, Pune, B. K.Subrahamanyam, V. V. Madhusudan Rao and M. Kasturibai of the Nagarjuna

University, Guntur, conducted explorations in Eleru andPaleru valleys. Their survey started from the hills of the Eastern Ghats on the west to thedeltaic zones up to the river basins of the Godavari and the Krishna to the east.

Fairly thick (25 m) alluvial fills, representing two cut and fill episodes of theEleru river, are preserved on the piedmont zone of the Eastern Ghats. These alluvialfills rest against the steep rock-cut slopes of the Khondalites. The top surface of theolder fill occurs at an elevation of about 25 m above the modern bed level of the Eleru,while the younger fill terrace is inset into the older fill at an elevation of about 10 mabove the bed level. The Upper Palaeolithic tools

'The above-mentioned publication is referred to in the following pages by the year only.


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occur in a stratified context in the gravel beds at an elevation of about 20 m in the olderalluvial fill. On the other hand, Mesolithic and Neolithic occupations occur on the top ofthe older terrace (25 m).

These field observations show that the Eleru river has passed through at least two

major phases of aggradation and degradation during the late Quaternary. The cliff sectionof the Older alluvial fill exposed on the left bank of the Eleru at Uppalapadu revealedinteresting changes in the mode of sedimentation. Both cut and fill terraces and changes inthe sedimentatary facies of the alluvial fills suggest that the region was affected by eustaticclimatic changes. The deltaic plain of the lower Eleru did not reveal on the surface anyfield evidence of sea-level changes during the Late Quaternary.

On the other hand, the lower coastal plain of the Paleru further south, in theDistrict Prakasam, revealed the following interesting geomorphic features. First, theoccurrence of a pebbly gravel (fluvial) at a depth of 8 to 10 m below the present sea-level ina well-section at Kothapatnam suggests that the sea-level was lower by at least 10m some time during the Quaternary. Second, the presence of a beach rock in anotherwell at a depth of 15 m further corroborates a lower sea-level during the Quaternary.

Third, the examination of recently-dug well-sections in the area shows that the coastalplain is a product of gradually prograding deltaic plain of the Holocene Age. Four th,about 15 km inland from the coast exposures of ferricreted cobbly gravels wereobserved between Singrayakonda and Ullapalem at a height of about 15-20 m above sea-level. These gravels rest unconformably on pre-Cambrains and they probably grade intothe pebbly gravels observed in the well-sections near the coast. Present disconformablerelationship between these two gravels indicate nco-tectonic movements in the coastalarea. Fifth, between Kandkur and Kanigir at a place called Oguru, there is an extensivespread of cobbly, pebbly gravel which forms a conspicious landform in the form of alow hillock; a large number of Acheulian tools were collected from the surface of thegravel ridge, which is an anamolous geomorphic feature in the area and has norelationship with the present Paleru course. Further investigation of these fossil gravels inthe coastal area of the Paleru valley will not only throw light on the neo-tectonic and

glacio-eustatic changes of the Quaternary but may also help in correlating these featureswith the stratified Stone Age sites found in the upper reaches of the Paleru at Agraharam,Veligandla etc.

4.EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT GUNTUR.The Department of Archaeology andMuseums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, conducted exploration along the foothills atGokinakonda andfound Middle Stone Age tools represented by cores, choppers, scrapersand flakes.Besides red ware, red-slipped ware, black-and-red ware and black warebelonging to early historical period were also encountered near the village. Megalithicburials of cairn-circle type were noticed on the slope of a hill near Pedamaddur.

5. EXCAVATION AT KOTILINGALA, DISTRICT KARIMNAGAR.The Departmentof Archaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, carried out excavationnear the river Godavari with a view to establishing cultural sequence of the site. The upperlevel revealed brick-built structures, platforms, drains and soakage pits. The excavationalso brought to light beads made of semiprecious stones, terracotta figurines, ironobjects and a few copper coins datable to the Satavahana period. The associated potteryis represented by red polished ware.

Excavation, which is in progress on another ancient mound near the range ofhills, revealed the existence of a stupa with lime-plastered dome and projected ayakaplatforms. A fragment of a chhatra (umbrella) contains an inscription, ascribable to thefirst century AD.

6. EXCAVATION AT NAGNOOR,DISTRICT KARIMNAGAR.The Department ofArchaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, carried out excavation at the

site (said to have


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contained four hundred temples) with a view to exposing the plan and elevation of thestructures. The excavation revealed the remains of a temple representaed by a garbha-griha(2.57 x 2.50 m), and an antarala and other brick and stone structures. Antiquities recoveredfrom the excavation include: beads of semiprecious stones, glass and terracotta; iron fragments;and a few bangle pieces.

7. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT KRISHNA.The Department of Archaeology and Museums,Government of Andhra Pradesh, discovered some Early Stone Age tools including cores andflakes from the foothills at Jaggayyapeta, the famous Buddhist site.

Further exploration at the hill slopes at Thirumalagiri yielded Middle Stone Age toolsconsisting of choppers, scrapers and cores.

8. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT KURNOOL.With a view to studying geomorphic andprehistoric investigations, R. S. Pappu and J. Vara Prasad Rao of the Deccan College Post-graduate and Research Institute, Pune, carried out explorations in the middle reaches of theKrishna river between villages Kudavelli and Vecrapuram in Nandikotkur Taluk.

Quaternary formations in this region are of fluvial origin and are represented by high

level gravels and alluvial fills made up of gravel silts exclusively confined to the present daychannels. High level gravels have extensive distribution and are found exposed on both thebanks of the river Krishna. These gravels occur as cappings on the eroded limestones at anelevation of about 20 m above the present bed and about 0.50 to 0.75 km away from the presentchannel. These have attained a thickness of about 1 to 1-5 m. Good exposures of the gravel bedswere observed also at Aralapadu, Jatpole, Kudavelli, Muravakonda and Patkondapur. Gravelsare loosely consolidated and are made up of boulders, cobbles, pebbles and sands of chert,chalcedony, quartz, agate, quartzite and limestone. The gravel as a whole is rich in silica familyminerals. The tools of the Middle Palaeolithic industry are found in abundance on the erodedsurface of the gravel and also are confined to the top 30 to 40 cm of the gravel while the restof the deposit is culturally sterile. The tool-kit using silica family minerals as raw materialconsists of varied and numerous forms of scrapers, points and borers. The high level gravel

represents the abandoned channel of the ancient Krishna and is thus the earliest depositionalphase. Middle Palaeolithic man arrived in the valley probably at the end of this aggradationalphase.

An Acheulian site was located at Muravkonda at a distance of about 0.30 to 0.50 kmaway from the high level gravels. This site is situated at an elevation of about 20-22 m fromthe present bed. Tools, both in finished and unfinished stages in association with flakes, coresand chips, are found scattered on the eroded limestone. This surface site may represent open-airoccupation-cum-factory site. The tool-kit consists of handaxes, the raw material employed forpreparing artefacts being mainly quartzite.

A Neolithic site was located at an elevation of 10 m from the present bed nearMuravkonda village. The habitational deposit (0.50 to 0.75 m thick) resting on the yellowishsub-recent silt yielded polished axes, rubber-stones, querns, mullers, a few potsherds and animalbones.

9. EXCAVATION AT RAMAPURAM,DISTRICT KURNOOL.The Excavations Branch (1) ofthe Archaeological Survey of India,

1Nagpur, under the direction of B. Narasimhiah assisted

by B. P. Bopardikar, S. K. Lekhwani, D. K. Ambastha, S. K. Mittra, K. Ismail, MohinderSingh, S. V. Sutaone, P. M. Bhope, K. M. Girhe, R. K. Dwivedi, R. K. Roy, M. U. Qureshi,

1The Archaeological Survey of India is referred to in the following pages as the 'Survey'.

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IXDIAX ARCIlAEOLOGr 1980-S1A HEVIIiW

Pyare Singh, B. K. Rudra and A. U. Ganar, conducted excavation at Ramapuram (Lat. 1505'N, Long. 7805' E) with the view: (i) to establishing the cultural sequence and (ii) to under-standing the settlement pattern and characteristic features of the chalcolithic culture in theregion, besides imparting field-training to the students of the School of Archaeology. Kxcnvation

revealed 85 to 95 cm thick cultural deposit belonging to a single culture which is divisible intothree phases termed as Phases A, B and C (fig. 1).

Period I A is characterized by the occurrence of handmade burnished red, grey and black

wares associated with microlithic tool industry and pecked and ground stone industry. Someof the vases representing all the three wares are treated with self-slip and burnished. However,vases in red ware of the latter variety occasionally show painting with linear designs in blackor violet. The designs include horizontal bands, groups of vertical lines running all over thebody, oblique strokes, criss-cross, wavy lines and concentric semicircles. The important shapesrepresented in the pottery of this phase include: vase with featureless rim, constricted neckluted to globular body with external ridge in between; deep bowl with featureless rim; lippedbowl; channel-spouted bowl; spouted vessel; and basin and wide-mouthed vases. The micro-lithic tool (fig. 2) industry is represented by simple parallel-sided blades, backed blades, pen

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knife backed with notch, bladclcts, blade-scrappers, symmetrical and asymmetrical crescents,crcsccntic points, point with retouch near tip, besides fluted cores which may be long conical

or flat. The raw material used for manufacturing the tools is mainly chert but specimens madeon agate, chalcedony, quartz and quartzite are also present. That the people of this sub-periodhad the knowledge of copper is attested to by the occurrence of one piece of coiled wire and afew fragments of unidentified objects. Other important antiquities are steatite disc beads of

various diameters.Period I B is in fact continuation of the preceeding phase but for the conspicuous absenceof the microlithic tool industry. However, handmade burnished grey-and-brown ware makesits appearance, and also there is a noticeable increase in the frequency of the occurrence of thepainted red ware. Other important finds include terracotta, beads, copper tongue of a bell andhop-scotches.

Period I C is a further continuation of the preceeding phase, but it witnessed the introduc-tion of iron technology. However, the use of copper was also noticed. Moreover, the grey-and-

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brown ware shows remarkable improvement; in fact, by the end of this phase it emerges as thetrue black-and-red ware. The black-and-red ware from this site, therefore, seems to a localinnovation but with some foreign influences as reflected in the occurrence of new types likelid with finial, hour-glass type stand, etc., in the pottery of the phase. The ceramic industry, too,shows remarkable improvement in introducing slow-wheel for the manufacture of some typicalshapes like water-pitchers, bowl with ring-base and especially burial pots. This sub-period wasfound to be rich in copper objects (fig. 3) such as celts, chisel, tongs, razor or scraper, coiledwire, needle etc, (pl. I). Iron objects (pl. Ill), recovered mostly from the burials, include spear-head, arrowhead, razor, scraper or cobbler's tool, nail-like objects, etc; most interesting ironobjects found in a burial is a parasu-like object with thin section (pl. IV A). Other importantantiquities include beads of shell (pl. V B), bone, terracotta and steatite (pl. V A), terracottabulls, one of which bears red bands painted on the body and stylized animal heads (Pl. IV B)probably attached to pots. Another important find is perforated lipped bowls, having four,five, six or eight lips. Most of these deep bowls have twenty-five perforations at the bottombut some have as many as seventy-five and one hundred and twenty-one perforations.

Burials encountered in Period I C which are invariably in the habitation, some inside

the house and other outside, are of four types: (i) single-urn (kept vertically), (ii) double-urn(pl. VII A), (iii) oblong cist, and (iv) pit-burial (pl. VI A). All the burials had cairn packing(pl. VI B) but no circle stones. They are invariably oriented north-south, and contain post-excarnated skeletal remains including skulls, which are invariably kept on the north facingwest, long bones and occasionally other bones as well. Further, it was found that the feet wereintentionally chopped off. The double-urn burial was not only used for burying children butalso adults (pl. VII B); even cist burials (pl. VIII) had skeletal remains of single person eitheradult or child. These burials had vases of red, black-and-red and black wares, besides ironobjects.

People representing all the three phases lived in huts built of perishable materials, and theplans of the huts, (pl. II) were either circular (ranging from 8.2 to 2.2 m in diameter) or oval(sizes ranging from 11.1 x 9.1 to 3.15 x 2.20 m). However, in Period I C, only one hut withapsidal plan was encountered. The huts were provided with slab piece lining on the exterior.Wherever the lining of slab pieces was missing only a shallow channel dug for fixing the slabpieces was found. People domesticated

1animals like Bos indicus (cattle), Bubalus bubalis

(buffalo), Capra aegagrus (goat), Oris aries (sheep), Sus scrofa cristatus (pig), etc. It is interestingto know that there is some indication for killing cattle at a very advanced age. If the cattle waskept only for food purposes, the inhabitants would have killed these animals at an early age,possibly around the age of three when the meat is tender and in plenty. It is possible, therefore,that the inhabitants kept these as domesticated animals, some of them being used for agriculturalpurposes. As there is a scarcity of vertabrae, ribs and lower parts of the limb-bones in thecollection, it seems that majority of these animals were slaughtered outside the habitation andlater the flesh-bearing parts brought in. The inhabitants supplemented their food economy byoccasionally hunting wild animals like Cervus Unicolor (sambar), Gazella Gazella (chinkara) andbirds. It is also certain that they exploited aquatic resources like mollusc and fish. The presence

of a few pieces of marine shells indicate that the people might have contacts with outsiders livingnearer the sea. The technology of bone tool was also not unknown to these people and boneobjects include comb-like objects, scraper, borer, point, antimony rod etc.

10. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT MAHABUBNAGAR.The Department of Archaeology andMuseums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, explored around the village Aija and located an

information from Zoo-archaeologist of the Deccan College Post-graduate and Research Institute, Pune.

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ash-mound containing polished celts, adzes and stone axes. The pottery is representeby globular pots, dishes, bowls, and storage jars treated with black polish.

Besides, a temple belonging to Chalukyan period was noticed at Marthandeswara.Exploration round the village Urukonda yielded a number of megalithic burials als

noticed at Dhapur, Jannichedu and Uppair.

11. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT NELLORE.In the course of exploration, the RegisterinOfficer of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradeslocated two mounds at Duggirajpatnam near the coast of Bay of Bengal. Both the sites yieldered polished ware.

12. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT PRAKASAM.The Registering Officer of the DepartmentArchaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, located ancient mound Vikralapet yielding a large number of red and black polished ware including plain and paintsherds.

13. EXCAVATION AT KEESARAGUTTA, DISTRICT RANGAREDDY.The Department

Archaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, undertook excavation with a vito establishing the cultural sequence of the site, and as a result, six different structures werecorded. These structures belonged to ritualistic (temple) and secular architecture.

14. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT WARANGAL.The Registering Officer of the DepartmentArchaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, carried out exploration arouthe village Kotamita and found Rouletted Ware, besides a few other potter)-.

ARUNACHAL PRADESH

15. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT KAMENG.D. K. Bora of the Directorate of Researc(Archaeology), Government of Arunachal Pradesh, carried out exploration at the villag

Naksaparbat and found a number of carved pillars along with other remains.16. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT LOHIT.D. K. Bora of the Directorate of Researc

(Archaeology), Government of Arunachal Pradesh, located two mounds, earthen rampart, anstone pillars belonging to the Ahom period in course of exploration around the villagManambhum.

BIHAR

17. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT CHAPRA.J. P. Mehrotra of the Mid-eastern Circle of tSurvey, located an ancient mound at Bhinda in the village Hussan Ali Bazar. It yielded lamedieval pottery.

J. P. Mehrotra and A. N. Roy of the Survey discovered black-and-red ware athe Northern Black Polished Ware, including a few terracotta beads, at Revelganj.

18. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT GAYA.The Department of Archaeology and MuseumGovernment of Bihar, in the course of exploration, brought to light several terracotta ring-weat Bhusanda on the exposed section of the river Phalgu. At the village Mangrawa, evidenceblack-and-red, Northern Black Polished and black-slipped wares were also noticed. Exploratiaround Raungarh yielded a number of black-and-red ware sherds, occasionally painted, a

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a dish-on-stand. The site also yielded Northern Black Polished Ware and red ware belongingto the early historic period.

19. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT GIRIDIH.J. P. Mehrotra and B. Nath of the Mid-easternCircle of the Survey discovered at the village Chak, remains of a brick temple andstone sculptures representing standing figure of Surya, Uma-Mahesvara, etc.

20.EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT MONGHYR.Vidula Jayaswal, assisted by the Postgraduatestudents of the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, BanarasHindu University, undertook intensive Survey of the area around Paisra (Long. 8628' E; andLat. 259'N). Achculian artefacts were found in clusters on the foot of the Darbara hill, betweenthe villages Bariara and Changvada (a stretch of one kilometre). Cleaning of three such clustersshowed that a number of these were more or less undisturbed and were actual tool-manufactur-ing spots. The clusters were formed by limited number of Acheulian implements, cores, flakesand abundance of waste-chips and quartzite lumps (the raw material used for tools).

Probings and section-scraping in this area revealed a definite tool-bearing deposit of40-80 cm, which is composed of small nodules and disintegrated rocks, and was found lying

directly on the bed-rock. The deposit contained Achculian artefacts in fresh condition. At places,it is overlain by a thick compact yellow earth layer (4 to 6 m thick), and loose ochre soil deposit(20 to 60 cm thick) respectively. However, both these layers are devoid of artefacts. It is thusapparent that the area around Paisra was a habitat of an advanced Acheulian man for quitesome time.

21. EXCAVATION AT APIISAD,DISTRICT NAWADAH.In continuation of last year's (1979-80,p. 14) work Prakash Charan Prasad assisted by Krishan Kant Sharma, Lakshman PrasadSingh, Jamil Akhtar, N. C. Ghosh, Raghunath Prasad Verma and Uma Shankar Pandit underthe general supervision of Sita Ram Roy of the Department of Archaeology and Museums,Government of Bihar, resumed excavation at Aphsad.

Excavation confirmed the last year's observation and brought to light five diminishing

tiers of the Vishnu temple (pl. IX A). The main shrine was approached by a flight of steps. Thewall surface of the temple was finished with plaster whereas the floor was given a brick slopingand finally rammed with brickbats. A row of five small shrines were uncovered over the firsttier towards the east. The excavation yielded an inscribed terracotta sealing, a terracotta mould,iron objects like nails and a stucco head of Brahma, stone figure of Dandi and a Siva-linga. Theoccurrence of the Northern Black Polished Ware indicates the existence of an earlier beginningof the site.

22.EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT RANCHI.B. S. Jha of the Mid-eastern Circle of the Survey,in course of his exploration, noticed two ancient mounds at Ite and Hansa yielding iron slagsand implements, besides red ware datable to the Kushana period.

23.EXCAVATION AT CHIRAND,DISTRICT SARAN.B. Narain and A. K. Singh assistedby B. K. Jamuar and S. K. Kaviraj under the guidence of B. Sahai of the Department of AncientIndian History and Archaeology, Patna University, under the scheme sanctioned by theUniversity Grants Commission, Government of India, carried out excavation with a view toascertaining the structural phases in relation to cultural sequence at the site.

Excavation yielded from the lower level polished celts, terracotta figurines, stone beads,dish-on-stand in black-and-red ware along with iron.

The succeeding occupation is represented by brick structures. The pottery include finevariety of the Northern Black Polished Ware sherds. Antiquities discovered consist of stonebeads and terracotta animal figurines.

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The next level is characterized by the presence of the Northern Black Polished Ware late variety and its associated wares. A number of brick structures, including ring-wells andrains, were encountered. Notable antiquities include bone objects like points, socketed arrohead, stylus, copper antimony rod and terracotta animal figurines.

The latest cultural deposit is represented by pottery typical of the Kushana period. Oth

finds include glass and copper beads, iron spearhead, clay sealing of the Gupta period, terracotobjects like ear-lobe and human figurines.

Besides, a coin hoard of the British period was encountered about 1 km away from thaforesaid site in course of a trial digging.

GOA, DAMAN AND DIU

24. EXPLORATIONS IN GOA.The Archaeology Unit of the Directorate of ArchivesArchaeology and Museums, Panaji, Goa, carried out village-to-village survey of loose sculpturesmonuments and forts at Ponda, Pernem, Sanguem, Sasashti, Marmagoa, Canacora, Dicholand Goa Taluks.

GUJARAT

25. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT AHMADABAD.R. N. Mehta, of the Department oArchaeology and Ancient History, M. S. University of Baroda, while studying the developmenof ancient city of Ahmadabad found the surrounding suburban area gradually merging withthe main city complex. The archaeological evidence of bricks and remains of outer fortificationindicate the construction of the city probably in the late sixteenth or early seventeenth century

26. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT AMRELI,BANAS KANTHA,MAHESANA,PANCH MAHALSRAJKOT,SABAR KANTHA AND VADODARA.The Department of Archaeology, Government oGujarat, in the course of their explorations, located the following sites of archaeological interest

District Taluk Sitejvillage Cultural assemblage

Amreli Ra ula UchiaBanas Kantha Disa Akhol Nani-do- Kankrej Tervada

Banas Kantha Radhanpur Radhanpur

-do- -do- erwada-do- Santolpur Varahi

Kutch Bhachau Chobari-do- -do- Ner-do- -do- Samakhiyari

-do- Bhuj Meghper

-do- -do- Sanosara-do- -do- Sarali

Mahesana Harij Khakhadi

step-well (fifteenth century AD)medievalsculptures of Chaturbhuja Ganc(Maitraka period), dancing Gane9th century AD), Parvati (l0th-lltcentury AD),Siva (13th century AD)medievalmedievalmedieval

step-well (16th century AD)HarappanChatardi (memorial pavilion) (18century AD)HarappanLate Stone AgeLate Stone Agemedieval

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EXPLORATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS

District Taluk Site/villa

ge

Cultural

assembg

e

Early Stone AgemedievalmedievalEarly Stone Age sculptures of Mahisa

mardini (14th-15th century AD),Ganesa (17th century AD)Kaliyamardan (13th-14th century AD),Bhairava, Lakshminarayana andVishnu (13th century AD)medievalVishnu-patta (13th century AD)vyala (8th-9th century AD)Saptamartrika-patta and mosque (15thcentury AD)and image of Ganesa (14th-15 th century AD)Harappanmedieval

medievalsculptures of Siva and Gaja-Lakshmi(9th-10th century AD),Naranarayanaand Parvati (10th-11th century AD),Nandi (12th-13th century AD),and Siva(13th century AD)sculpture of Nandi andjaladhari-Siva.-linga (12th-13th century AD)sculptures of Parvati, Varahi andVinadhara Siva (all 10th-11th centuryAD),and Nandi (8th-9th century AD)memorial stone (12th-13th century AD)

Yogini, Mahishasuramardini, Parvatiand Nandi (all 13 th century AD)memorial stone (12th-13th century AD),

and Yogesvara Siva (9th-10th centuryAD)

27. EXCAVATION AT SURPAN, DISTRICT BHARUCH.K. Raghavachary, assisted by P. K.Trivedi, S. S. Nayak, A. R. Shah of the Western Circle of the Survey conducted excavation atSurpanaesvar temple with a view to finding out the antiquity of the temple.

Excavation revealed earlier brick structures (size 35 x 22 x 8 cm) below Surpanesvaraand Rajarajesvara temples. A few pieces of Kaolin ware along with some pieces of sprinklersassignable to the early historical period were associated with the level.

Bhimasan sculpture of Lakshminarayana, Vishnu

and Kailyamardan (12-13th

centurycentury AD)

Mahesana Kalol

Mevad sculpture of Adivaraha and Vishnu

11th-12 th century AD-do- -do-

-do--do--do--do-

-do--do--do--do-

PalodiaPiyajSoja VasajadaDhedia

-do- Mahesana Ambasan

-doPanch Mahals-dodo-

-do-DahodJalatSantrampur

DiwanpuraDahodJalatRaynia

Rajkot SabarKanthaVadodara -do-

JasadanBayadSavali

Vaghodia

PipaliaAmbaliyaraMoxiGoraj

Vadodara Vaghodia Limbada

-do- -do- Mahadevpura(Sandhiapura)

-do--do-

Vaghodia -do-

MastupuraPiplia

-do- -do- Rasulabad


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INDIA.N ARCHAEOLOGY 1980-81A REVIEW

28. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICTS BHARUCH AND VADODARA.In continuation of the previousyear's (1979-80, p. 23) work, K. Raghavachary assisted by P. K. Trivedi, A. R. Shah andK. D. Tripathi of the Western Circle of the Survey explored thirteen villages and noticed a bustof Siva and Parvati at Pylighat, assignable to twelfth-thirteenth century.

29. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT BHAVNAGAR.V. K. Jairath, a Research Scholar of theDepartment of Archaeology and Ancient History, M. S. University, Baroda, under the Village-to-Village Survey Scheme located the following sites of archaeological interest.

Taluk Site/village

Cultural

asstmblage

Valabhipur-do--do--do-

-do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do-

Bhavnagar-do-

Bhavnagar-do-

-do-

-do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do-

-do-Gogha

-do-Bhavnagar

-do-Bhavnagar

-do--do-

Gogha

Nasit ur Hara an and medievalMevasa medievalPipli Late Stone Age and early historicalJuna Rampur Late Stone Age, Harappan, early historical

and medieval.Haliad early historical and medievalPati early historical and medievalChada medievalPa tana Harappan and medievalMalpara medievalVirdi medievalAnandpur medievalUjalrar medievalVartej medievalAdhevada Late Stone AgeMalanka medievalAkvada Late Stone Age, Harappan, early historical

and medievalSidsar Late Stone Age, Harappan, early historical

and medievalTarasamra Harappan and medievalBhojpura medievalBudhel HarappanHathab HarappanUndvi medievalThalsar medievalBhadi early historicalKhadsaliya early historicalShedhavadar early historical and medieval

Fariyadka HarappanGo ha medievalKherakdi medievalBhandaria medievalRuva medievalNagdjanimba medievalBhumbhali medievalKoliyak medievalValukad medieval

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EXPLORATIONS AND EXCAVATIOXS

30. EXCAVATION IN DISTRICT JAMNAGAR.Kuldeep K. Bhan, a Research Scholar of theDepartment of Archaeology and Ancient History, M. S. University, Baroda, under the Village-to-Village Survey Scheme noticed the following sites of archaeological interest.

Taluk Site/village Cultural assemblage

Kalvad-do--do--do--do--do--do--do--

do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do-

Lalpur


-do--do--do--do--do-

Jamjodhpur-do--do-

ManzewadaAraleeKotadaJuna BhagcdiPccr-ni-dargaJune timboTimboFulzar

PaneliSaparwadiLaloi-no-TimboKutharivadKhandariTimbuRajwadaTimboSheshadi-ka-doraKalvad IKalvad IIKalvad IIIKalvad IV

(River Kalavadi)Peervala

Timbi ITimbi IIJuna GodavariDharampurMungatodaBoriyaJune TimbiTalwadiPancha pipro

RanpurSewak Bhalia ISewak Bhalia IIPeer-ni-durghaOliya PeerHanuman-no- timboVavadiMachavadi

early historicalHarappanLate Stone Age and HarappanmedievalHarappanmedievalHarappanmedieval

early historicalHarappan and early historicalHarappan lithic industryLast Stone Age and Harappanmedievalmedieval and Late Stone AgeLate Stone AgeHarappanearly historicalHarappanHarappan and medievalHarappanMiddle Stone Age

Harappan lithic industry, Harappan andearly historicalLate Stone Age, Harappanearly historicalmedievalLate Stone AgeHarappan and early historicalearly historicalHarappanHarappanHarappan

Harappanearly historicalearly historicalHarappanHarappanearly historicalearly historicalearly historical

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INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1980-81-A REVIEW

28. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICTS BHARUCH AND VADODARA.In continuation of thepreviousyear's (1979-80, p. 23) work, K. Raghavachary assisted by P. K. Trivcdi, A. R. Shah andK. D. Tripathi of the Western Circle of the Survey explored thirteen villages and noticed a bustof Siva and Parvati at Pylighat, assignable to twelfth-thirteenth century.

29. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT BHAVNAGAR.V. K. Jairath, a Research Scholar of theDepartment of Archaeology and Ancient History, M. S. University, Haroda, under the Village-to-Village Survey Scheme located the following sites of archaeological interest.

Taluk Site/villa

geCultural

assemblage

Valabhipur-do--do--do-


Bhavnagar-do-

Bhavnagar-do-

-do-


-do-Gogha

-doBhavnagar

-do-Bhavnagar

-do--do-

Gogha

Nasit ur Hara an and medievalMcvasa medievalPipli Late Stone Age and early historicalJuna Rampur Late Stone Age, Harappan, early historical

and medieval.Haliad early historical and medievalPati early historical and medievalChada medievalPatana Harappan and medievalMalpara medievalVirdi medievalAnandpur medievalUjalrar medievalVartej medievalAdhevada Late Stone AgeMalanka medievalAkvada Late Stone Age, Harappan, early historical

and medievalSidsar Late Stone Age, Harappan, early historical

and medievalTarasamra Harappan and medievalBhojpura medievalBudhel HarappanHathab HarappanUndvi medievalThalsar medievalBhadi early historicalKhadsaliya early historicalShedhavadar early historical and medieval

Fariyadka HarappanGo ha medievalKherakdi medievalBhandaria medievalRuva medievalNagdjanimba medievalBhumbhali medievalKoliyak medievalValukad medieval

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EXPLORATIONS AND EXCA VATIOXS

30. EXCAVATION IN DISTRICT JAMNAGAR.Kuldeep K. Bhan, a Research Scholar of theDepartment of Archaeology and Ancient History, M. S. University, Baroda, under the Village-to-Village Survey Scheme noticed the following sites of archaeological interest.


Kalvad-do--do--do--do--do--do--do--

do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do-

Lalpur


-do--do--do--do--do-

Jamjodhpur-do--do-

ManzcwadaAralccKotadaJuna BhagcdiPccr-ni-dargaJune timboTimboFulzar

PaneliSapanvadiLaloi-no-TimboKutharivadKhandariTimbuRajwadaTimboSheshadi-ka-doraKalvad IKalvad IIKalvad IIIKalvad IV

(River Kalavadi)Peervala

Timbi ITimbi IIJuna GodavariDharampurMungatodaBoriyaJune TimbiTalwadiPancha pipro

RanpurSewak Bhalia ISewak Bhalia IIPeer-ni-durghaOliya PeerHanuman-no-timboVavadiMachavadi

early historicalHarappanLate Stone Age and HarappanmedievalHarappanmedievalHarappanmedieval

early historicalHarappan and early historicalHarappan lithic industryLast Stone Age and Harappanmedievalmedieval and Late Stone AgeLate Stone AgeHarappanearly historicalHarappanHarappan and medievalHarappanMiddle Stone Age

Harappan lithic industry, Harappan andearly historicalLate Stone Age, Harappanearly historicalmedievalLate Stone AgeHarappan and early historicalearly historicalHarappanHarappanHarappan

Harappanearly historicalearly historicalHarappanHarappanearly historicalearly historicalearly historical

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Jamjodhpur Gadia early historical

-do- Narmana Harappan-do- Boriya Harappan-do- Go early historical

Khambhaliya Peer-ni-dargha early historical and medieval sculpture-do- Juna Sinhan early historical-do- Kola Late Stone Age, Harappan and early

historical-do- Bharana medieval-do- Zakasia medieval-do- Dingeshwar medieval-do- Vadrta early historical

Okhamandal Nilkunte Mahadcva medieval and medieval sculptureKhambhaliya Datrana medievalOkhamandal Dwarka medieval sculpture-do- Dhrasenval medieval-do- Nageshwar Harappan-do- Beyt medieval-do- Juni Dhinaki medieval-do- Vasai medieval-do- Kuranja early historical-do- Wedza medieval-do- Savana early historical

31. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT JUNAGADH.The Department of Archaeology Governmentof Gujarat and the Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, M. S. University, Baroda,jointly in course of exploration along the bank of the river Sonarekh at Junagadh city discovereda few Roman amphora, Red Polished Ware and other ceramic types datable to the earlyhistorical period.

Further exploration around Junagadh city revealed interesting evidence about thedevelopment and shifting pattern of the urban settlement.

32. EXCAVATION AT PABUMATH,DISTRICT KUTCH.In continuation of last year's (1978-79,pp. 67-68) work, the Department of Archaeology, Government of Gujarat, resumed excavationat the Harappan site of Pabumath.

The excavation revealed the evidence of a large building complex (pl. X) besides aninscribed seal bearing a unicorn motif. Other finds include: bangles and bead in shell;

awl; bangle, needle and antimony rods in copper; steatite micro-beads and faience beads.Pottery is represented by large and medium size jars, goblet, beaker, steep-sided dish, dish-on-stand, perforated jars etc. Fine red pottery often bears black painted designs such as criss-cross,wavy lines, loops and hatched ferns. The excavation also yielded remains of animalbones belonging to cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep, wild pig, rabbit, and fish.

33. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT SURAT.S. S. Nayak of the Western Circle of the Surveyin course of exploration noticed memorial stones and pillars, brass images, temples, stone

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sculptures belonging to late mediaeval period at Bhagwa, Kotra, Karanig, Asanad, Takarama,Mindhi, Jinod, Mor, Mirajapur, Pardi-zankhari, Thothal and Kamaroli.

34. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT VADODARA.The Department of Archaeology and AncientHistory, M. S. University, Baroda, carried out salvage work around Kalabhavan at Baroda

and encountered potsherds, animal bones, terracotta and stone objects datable to medievaltimes.

HARYANA

35.EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT AMBALA.Manmohan Kumar of Kurukshetra Universityassisted by Sanjiv and P. S. Gill of Anthropology Department, Punjab University, Chandigarh,carried out exploration around Chandigarh and located a Stone Age site on a terrace of riverCho, near the village Nadha and Naya Gram. Artifacts include Acheulian handaxe, scraperalong with cores and flakes associated with some fossils represented by phalanx of an ancientgoat.

36.EXCAVATION AT AGROHA,DISTRICT HISSAR.In continuation of the last season's (p. 31)work P. K. Sharan with the assistance of Madhav Acharya and Brahmdutt of the Department

of Archaeology, Haryana, resumed excavation at the site. The main objectives of the dig were:(i) to determine constructional phases of the temple no. 2; (ii) to ascertain the earliest settlementin that part of the site in order to confirm the last season's work; (iii) to fully expose the templeno. 2; and (iv) to outline the habitation near the temple complex."

Last year the southern wall of Temple no. 2 outside thepradakshina-path of Temple no. 1,was exposed and it was found that the bricks (38 x 24 x 6 cm) used were different from thoseof Temple no. 1. As a result of this season's work, the plan of the four building phases have beenbrought to light. In the first phase, which was partially exposed, the temple had a sanctum,a small vestible with a portico in the front with the entrance from the north. It is very likelythat the earliest temple was built on a high platform which was further raised during everysubsequent phase but the total height of the platform could not be ascertained. The temple

measures approximately 15 m north-south and 11.50 m east-west. A 7-metre wide stair-waywas provided on the north for access.

In phase II, the platform was raised and its entrance was shifted to the east while itssanctum was reduced to make a provision for pradakshina-path of 080 (east-west) x 1.20 m(north-south) with brick jelly flooring around. Though mostly brick-bats were found used inconstruction, the exterior of the walls were veneered with full bricks measuring 37 x 24 x 8 and35 x 22 x 3 cm. A small entrance from the back side i.e. the west had also been provided. Toscale the height of the platform a staircase was added. During phase II, the temple was enlargedand the portico of the phase I was converted into a sub-shrine for which the entrance wasprovided to the north. Baked bricks (25 x 19 x4 cm) were used to pave the circumambulatorypath laid around the sub-shrine. The platform of the main temple was also raised further andthe entrance was pushed towards the east; as a result, the space in between the sanctum and the

entrance turned into a vestibule.The fourth and last phase of the temple demonstrates a period of decline. Mostly thebrickbats of the previous phases were reused in construction, besides using inferior quality ofbricks of the size of 27 x 20 x 4 cm. Common staircase and vestibule were provided for boththe temples, and the northern entrance for the sub-shrine was closed. No sign ofpradakshina-pathof this phase has been encountered so far.

A number of Gupta terracottas had been recovered from the phase I of the temple, whilea few sculptured pieces in Gurjara-Pratihara style were unearthed from the debris of the last

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INDIAN AR CH AE OL OGY 19 80-81 -A RE VIE

phase. All these suggest a time-bracket ofcirca fourth century AD to eleventh century for thefour phases of the temple.

37. EXPLORATIONS IN DISTRICT HISSAR.Dhoop Singh and Chandcrpal Singh of thDepartment of Archaeology and Museums, Haryana, discovered the following sites in th

course of the Village-to-Village Survey :

Tehsil Villagejsile Cultural assemblage

Hissar-do-

Hansi

-do-


Hissar-do-

Tohana-do--do-

-do--do-

-do--do-

-do-

-do-

Hissar

-do-

Hansi-do--do--do--do-

Kheri Barki I Hara anKirtan HarappanRakhi Garhi Pre-Harappan, Harappan and late

HarappanRajpura Harappan

Chanat I HarappanGarhi I Late HarappanSisai Kaliravan I + IV Late HarappanSisai Bola I + II Late HarappanLohauni Raghu I + II Late HarappanMasudpur I, II, III, IV Harappan and late HarappanMirchpur III Late HarappanNathwan Harappan and medievalKharar Harappan and late HarappanSatrand Khas II HarappanRatta Theh Pre-Harappan and HarappanGulanvala I Pre-Harappan and HarappanTalwara I Painted Grey (PG) Ware, black-slipped

ware, associated red ware and early historicaKarandi II PG Ware and associated red wareRupanwali PG Ware, black-slipped ware and associate

red wareDivvana I PG Ware, and black-slipped wareKahanari PG Ware, black-slipped ware and associate

red wareNagla PG Ware, black-slipped ware and associate

red wareParta Grey ware, black-slipped ware, associate

red ware and historicalChandar Khurad PG Ware, black-slipped ware, associate

red ware, early historical and medievalChamarkhera PG Ware, black-slipped ware, associated re

ware, early historical and medievalDhani Kumarinia PG WareNarnaund PG WareThurana I PG Ware and associated red wareMajra I PG WareDhani Brahmanwali PG Ware

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EXPLORA TIONS AND EXCA VA TIONS

Tehsil Village/sit

e

Cultural assemblage

Haasi

-do--do-

-do--do--do-

-do--do--do-

-do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do-

-do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do-

Madanheri

Bas Azamshahpur

Bhaklana I

Kani KheriKagsarKheri Rangharan II

Garhi IISisarKharbala

Singhwa KhasPuttiMehnadaNarnaudSulchaniPatwarThurana IIBhatal RanghamMajra IIPaliSisai Kaliravam IIISaladheri

KhajlaLohari Raghu IIIMoth RanghamSulkhaniGharaiRajliMasudpur IVTharwaDattaBhatlaKhokha I +IIKharkani I + IIChanat IIChhanSothaMirchpur I, II, IVBudanaMilakpurGamaraDhad IIBayana KheraGurana

PG Ware, black-polished ware and earlyhistoricalPG Ware and black-polished warePG Ware, black-polished ware and earlyhistoricalPG Ware and black-polished warePG Ware and black-polished warePG Ware and black-slipped ware andhistoricalhistoricalhistoricalhistorical

historicalhistorical and medievalhistorical and medievalhistorical and medievalhistorical and medievalhistorical and medievalhistorical and medievalhistorical and medievalhistorical and medievalhistoricalhistorical and medieval .historical and medieval

historical and medievalhistoricalhistorical and medievalhistoricalhistorical and medievalhistoricalhistoricalhistorical and medievalhistoricalhistorical and medievalhistoricalhistorical and medievalhistorical and medievalhistorical and medievalhistoricalhistorical and medievalhistoricalhistorical and medievalhistoricalhistorical and medievalhistoricalhistorical

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INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1980-81A REVIE

Tehsil Village/site Ccultural assemblage

Hissar

-do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do-

Hissar-do-

-do--do--do--do--do--do--do-

Tohana-do--do--do--do--do--

do--do--do-

Tohana-do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--

do--do--do--do--do--do--do-

Panghal I historical and medieval

Khedar historicalIshrheni historical and medievalDaulatpur historical and medievalUklana historical and medievalMugalpawa historical and medievalDhansu historicalBugana historicalJuglan historical and medievalBaddo Patti historicalKironi historicalSarsaud historical and medievalHichhpari historical

Jayoura historical and medievalGabipur historical and medievalSurhra historicalLandhani historicalHissar bir I+11 historical and medievalJakhod Khera I+ 11 historical and medievalSalamgarh III historical and medievalDamkoura historicalKudni historicalHimatpura historicalTalwara I+II historicalSadhanwas II + III historical

Sadhani historicalMudhlian II historicalMusa Khera II historicalKarandi I historicalJamalpur Sakhon historicalMaimand historicalJavatawala historicalDher historicalGularwala II historicalHadanwala historicalNathuwal historicalChellawal historicalChatan historicalSurewala historicalParta historicalPirthala historicalLaloda I historicalBhadhai Khera II historicalDangra historicalBhodia Khera II historical

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EXPLORA TIONS AND EXCAVA0TIONS

Tehsil Village/sile

Cultural

assemblage

Tohana-do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--

do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--

do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do-.do--do--do--

do--do-

Hissar-do--do--do--do--do--do-

Chandra Khurad historical

Bhodi historicalSanyana historicalChamar Khcra historicalSahu historicalTohana medievalUdaypur medievalHimmatpura medievalKasimpur medievalSadauwas I medievalMudlian I medievalMusa-Khera I medieval

Shankarpura medievalLahra Khera medievalKarandi I medievalJamalpur Shckan medievalSlampuri medievalMaimand medievalKulan medievalJavantawala medievalDharsaul medievalDiwana II medievalBudanpur medievalMamupur medieval

Nadal medievalGirnu medievalSuman medievalNagli medievalChitan medievalBhadhi Khera I medievalRatta Khera medievalBhodia Khera medievalChandar Khurd medievalBhodi medievalBorti medievalPokhri medievalSanyana medievalChamar Khera medievalSahu medievalMirka medievalMangali Mehbat I+ 11 medievalGangwa medievalDewa medievalMuklan medievalKalwas medievalKamri medieval

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Tehsil

Hissar-do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do-

-do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do-

Hansi-do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do--do-


Village/site Cultural assemblage

Singhram medieval

Tokas medievalPatan I+II medievalShah ur I+II medievalSiswala I+II+III historical and medievalKharia medievalDhiramwas medievalRevalwas Kalan edievalSirsana edievalBhiani Ruhlan medievalDhobi medievalSatrand Klan medieval

Satrond Khas I medievalJuglan historical and medievalBaddo Patti medievalKheri Banki II medievalSarsaud medievalBarwala medievalBobuoa medievalKharkhana medievalMatloda medievalBhanbheri medievalChikanwas medievalSalamgarh I+II medievalKabrail I+II

medieval

Mamanpura medievalDhandhari I + II medievalKutabpur Dhani I+II medievalMayar medievalMazhad medievalKhumbha medievalBhatal Jatan medievalKheri Gagan medievalSisai Kabiravan III medievalSotha medievalSirsana medievalKharak Punia medieval

Panihari medievalHabatpura medievalGandas Khera medievalNara medievalKoth Klan medievalDhad I medievalSindhar medievalPanghal II medievalPutti II medieval

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Tehsil Village/site Cultural assemblage

Hansi Bhaklana II medieval

-do- Ghuskani medievalFathebad Jagan medieval

-do- Moth Sarai I+ 11 medieval-do- Mahalsara medieval-do- Kohli medieval

JAMMU AND KASHMIR

36. EXCAVATION AT SEMTHAN,DISTRICT ANANTNAG.In continuation of the previouyear's (1978-79, pp. 69-70) work, R. S. Bisht of North-western Circle of the Survey, assisted bS. N. Jaiswal, G. S. Gaur, Balbir Singh and R. K. Kaul resumed excavation with a view tascertaining the cultural sequence of the site.

Period I is characterized by successive floor-levels. The antiquities recovered from thoccupational deposit of the period include: terracotta and bone beads and a piece of coppeThe pottery (pi. XI A) of this period have been broadly classified into following five fabrics.

Fabric A is represented by a sturdy red ware. Usually treated with thick bufine slip ranging in colour from orange-red to plump-red. The most striking type is a composiform of a bowl (fig. 4) on a stand. The other shapes comprise vases, vessels, carinated cookinvessels, flask, a short stem with a club-base, a knobbed lid and jars.

Fabric B consists of a fine thin red ware mostly slipped and burnished. It is made of finclay on wheel and the slip varies from brownish red to deep red. The common forms includ

vessels, vases, a variety of bowls, flasks, carinated cooking vessels with untreated and soot-markelower body.

Fabric C is a thick ocherous ware, of which a few sherds bear externally incisepatterns as well as multiple wavy lines. The shapes include wide-mouthed vessels, vases, etc.

Fabric D comprises two distinct wares, viz., burnished grey ware of thicker quality anordinary grey ware.

Fabric E is a handmade, ill-fired and crude ware made of poor clay containing stongrits. There is no evidence of painting.

Palaeobotanical investigation established the use and cultivation ot wheat (Triticum vulgavill. and Triticum Sphaerococcum perc), barley (Hordeum vulgare linn) and rice (Oryza sative linduring the period. The weeds usually associated with the cultivation of wheat and barley wealso found. Besides, the presence oi blue pine (Kail) was also confirmed.

Period II is marked by the presence of red ware (fig. 5) associated with the Norther

Black Polished Ware. Besides successive floor levels, a rubble-wall is the only structure founfrom this level (pi. IX B). Noteworthy antiquities include cast copper coins from thupper level.

Period III is represented by a thick deposit consisting of several floors yielding potterof a thin fabric with bright red or orange slip. Striking shapes are thali (pans) and goblets. small clay seal (pi. XIII A) depicting an Indo-Greek deity was a significant discovery. Coin(pi. XI B) of this period are collected from the surface.

Period IV witnessed the continuation of certain wares and types of the preceeding perioA large number of terracotta figurines (pi. XII), coins and clay sealing (pi. XI C) of this perio

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EXPLORA TIOKS AND EXCA VA TIONS

arc found from both excavation and surface. The figurines are usually prepared out of a singlemould. Other finds comprise beads of terracotta and semiprecious stones in addition tocopper and iron objects.

Period V belonged to the time of prolific temple building and flourishing sculptural

art in Kashmir.

37. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICTS ANANTANAG,BARAMULLA AND SRINAGAR.S. N.Rajguru, M. D. Kajale and Kiran Kaul of the Dcccan College Post-graduate and ResearchInstitute, Pune, carried out field investigations and collection of samples of post-Karewaformations of the Late Pleistocene age around Anantanag, Bijbihara, Burzahom, Duru,Pampur and Tamgmarg. Subsequent laboratory works have brought to light followingimportant aspects of the Late Pleistocene formations in the aforesaid area.

(i) These formations are represented by yellowish brown silts and interlayering darkbrown clayey silt.

(ii) The thickness varies from place to place and conformably caps the underlying UpperKarewa formations which are of fluviolacustral origin. The thickness of dark bands varies

from 0-5 to 1 m at different localities. (iii) The yellowish brown silt was considered to be of fluvial or aeolian origin and thedark brown clayey bands as palaeosols by the earlier workers. The present observations suggestthe possibility of fluvial origin. Non-laminated massive cliffs of silts with kankar concretionsresemble loess-like deposits. On the other hand, associated dark bands are lenticular and donot show any soil profile development. So it does not appear to be palaeosol.

(iv) Texturally the yellowish brown silts show variation in clay contents from1 to 38 per cent. High clay content argues against the hypothesis of aeolian origin.

(v) Dark brown bands contain organic carbon varying from 0-1 to 1 percent and proportion of clay from 25 to 36 per cent. These appear to be clayey siltsdeposited in stagnant water pools. Presence of dessication cracks in these deposits suggestsseasonal drying of pools.

In brief, the studies show that the Late Pleistocene formations in the Kashmir valley are

predominantly of fluvial origin and the low energy flood plain environment existed in themajor part. Loess-like deposits, therefore, could be of fluvio-aeolian in origin. Neither thesedeposits nor the associated dark bands resemble the classical aeolian loess and palaeosols ofcentral Europe and North America.

38. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT JAMMU.In course of Village-to-Village Survey, K.C. Nauriyal of the North-western Circle of the Survey discovered the following sites.

Site I village Approximate extent of mound Cultural assemblage

Amb 200 X 200 m Kushana, Muslim Glazed Ware,medieval(Lat. 3252' 10" N; sculptures, Muslim coins,commemorativeLong. 7447' 30" E) stone slabs, brick temple (AD1829) and

structural remains of late eighteenth centuryAD

Balowan 150x150 m Kushana, Muslim GlazedWare, stone(Lat. 3251'4" N; querns, grinders, iron slags andterracottaLong. 7449' 25' E) objects

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Site/villa

geApproximate extent of

moundCultural

assemblage

Bhulwal(Lat. 3250' 18' N;Long. 7449' 30' E)Chak Bowal(Lat. 3251' 44' N;Long. 7448' 25' E)Chak Sanga(Lat. 3254' 6' N;Long. 74646' 40' E)Chhowah(Lat. 3254' 46' N;

Long. 7450' 10' E)Dhanu(Lat. 3257' 44' N;Long. 7445' 10' E)Dharm Khu(Lat. 3251'32'N;Long. 7445' 48' E)Galali(Lat. 3256' 12' N;Long. 7447' 30" E)Grahi(Lat. 3254'0'N;)

Long. 7447' 10' E)Ghaink(Lat. 3252' 12' N;Long. 7448' 0' E)Ghurota(Lat. 3251'34'N;Long. 7446' 55' E)Gorra(Lat. 3258'30'N;Long. 7448' 58' E)Kairi(Lat. 3256' 18' N;Long. 7449' 25' E)

Kotli Gujran(Lat. 3254' 48' N;Long. 7448' 10' E)Kotli Panditan(Lat. 3255' 38' N;Long. 7447'25' E)

Kurwanda(Lat. 3250' 38' N;Long. 7449'0"E)

150 x 150 m

100 x 40 m

50 x 50 m

50 x 50 m

100 x 100 m

200 x 150 m

50 x 50 m

50 x 50 m

150 x l50m

50 x 50 m

75 x 75 m

100 x 100 m

Kushana, brick temple (Giri-mats) and plat-form (medieval)

Kushana, Muslim Glazed Ware, terracottaobjects, stone querns, grinders and ironslags Kushana

temple of goddess Nayal Devi (lateeighteenth century AD)

Kushana, Muslim Glazed Ware, iron slags,terracotta objects, stone querns andgrindersKushana, Muslim Glazed Ware, iron slags,stone querns and grinders

Kushana, Muslim Glazed Ware, iron slags,stone querns and grinders

Kushana, Muslim Glazed Ware, iron slags,stone querns and grinders

Kushana, rectangular platform and image ofHanuman (late medieval)

Kushana, Muslim Glazed Ware, temple andloose sculptures (late eighteenth centuryAD)early medieval, iron slags, stone querns andgrinders

Kushana, iron slags, stone querns andgrinders

Kushana

Kushana

Kushana, Muslim Glazed Ware, terracottaobjects, iron slags and wooden temple (latemedieval)

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INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 11980-91-A REVIEW

Site/villa

geApproximate extent of

mound

Cultural

assemblage

Marjali(Lat. 3251' 0" N;Long. 7445' 40" E)Nargara(Lat. 3254' 6" N;Long. 745O' 30' E)Pahta(Lat. 3253'52'N;Long. 745O' 40' E)Partara(Lat. 3252'32'N;Long. 7446' 30' E)

Sajwal(Lat. 3252'0'N:Long. 7448' 0' E)Sarot(Lat. 3254' 4' N;Long. 7447' 30' E)

Seri Panditan (Lat.3251' 44" N; Long.7449' 30* E) That(Lat. 3252'26'N;Long. 7446' 0' E)

That Jandial (Lat.3253' 43" N;Long. 7445' 50' E)

75 x 50 m

75 x 75 m

75 x 75 m

150 x 50 m

120 x l20m

100 x 100 m

150 x 70 m

50 x 50 m

100 x 100 m

Kushana, iron slags, stone querns andgrinders

Kushana, iron slags, stone querns and

grinders

Kushana

Kushana, terracotta objects, iron slags, stone

querns and grinders

Kushana, Muslim Glazed Ware, terracottaobjects, iron slags, stone querns and grinders

Kushana, Muslim Glazed Ware, iron slags,stone querns, grinders and temple withcommemorative sandstone slabs (lateeighteenth century AD)Kushana

Kushana, iron slags

Kushana, Muslim Glazed Ware, terracottaobjects, stone querns, grinders and iron slags

From the foregoing, it appears that though the site of Manda is in close proximity thereis no evidence of N B P or the periods preceeding it, including the Harappans, in the area.

KARNATAKA

39. EXCAVATION AT BELGAL, DISTRICT BELLARY.The Post-graduate Department oAncient History and Archaeology, Mysore University, carried out a trial excavation at Belgalabout 10 km south-west of Bellary, with a view to ascertaining the cultural sequence of the siteThe excavation revealed a cultural deposit varying in thickness from 30 cm to 1 m.

During the excavation it was found that the topmost layer was disturbed and furnishedboth early historical and Neolithic material. The preceding layer yielded burnished grey andblack and red pottery associated with broken pieces of polished tools, hammer stones etc. Under-lying this deposit was a floor made up of rammed earth, stone chips and ash mixed with earth.A circular pit and post-holes dug into the natural rock were also noticed over the floor level.

40.EXCAVATIONATHAMPI,DISTRICT BELLARY.-In continuation of the last year's(1979-80, p. 33) work, the Mid-southern Circle of the Survey under the direction of

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XPLORATIONS AND EXCAVAT10NS

L. K. Srinivasan, assisted by Lai Chand Singh, R. Venkata Siva Sarma and C. B. Patil, resumedexcavation in the area behind Kings' Audience hall as well as in the Mint area (fig. 6). The excavation brought to light plinths and stumps of walls (pl. XIV A) belonging to three ormore structural phases (pl. XV A). The earlier two phases were represented by dressed andornamental ashlar masonry whereas the third one by rubble walls set in mud mortar andplastered with thick coat of lime. The structure of the last phase is characterized by a shrine orporch flanked by pillared halls on cither side (pl. XVI A). It is further flanked by a rectangularand a square pillared hall to the north and south respectively. A small tank and a well wereexposed in front of the northern pillared hall.Remains of a cloistered enclosure belonging to the first phase was encountered in the Mintarea near the structure designated as Rang-mahal. The row of cloisters was provided with apillared corridor in front (pl. XVII). One of the rooms yielded a masonry drain connectingthe toilet with a soak-pit at the rear (pl. XV B). The outer wall of the second phase was providedwith a revetment of boulders measuring 1.75 x 0.60 m. A building within the Rang-mahal complex was laid bare having an entrance with a flightof steps towards the north. Its outer wall is embellished with an offset decoration (pls. XIV B-XVI B).

Important antiquities include a terracotta seal with a legend in Nagari characters, of thefifteenth century, and a gold ring.

1. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICTS BELGAUM AND DHARVVAR.S. V. P. Halkatti of the Depart-ment of Ancient Indian History and Epigraphy, Karnataka University, Dharwar, in the course

f his exploration in Surwanakolla noticed a temple having an ekatala-vimana crowned byala-sikhara. There is a beautiful image of Durga perhaps of the times of the Chalukyasf Kalyani. Behind the temple, a miniature shrine contains a linga datable to the fifth-sixthentury AD.

Further exploration in Vasana revealed a limestone pillar-inscription ofcirca second-hird century AD referring to a Satavahana king Vasisthiputra Siri Pulumavi and a certain

Chandasiva who bears an appellation Mahadeva. The base of the pillar is embellished withloral designs.

The site yielded also sculptures and architectural members of a temple of the lateRashtrakuta period. Large bricks, tiles, pottery etc. were also noticed.

42. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT BIJAPUR.R. S. P. Pappu of the Deccan College Postraduate and Research Institute, Pune, carried out geo-archaeological studies in theower reaches of the Malaprabha river around Badami town.

Two distinct planation surfaces are observed in the region, one at an elevation between30-580 m and the other between 610-660 m above Mean Sea Level. Made up of alluvial flat,ediment surface and laterite surface, the lower one is the most conspicuous planation surfacen the region. The highest surface is moderately dissected while the lower one is undissected,lat and gently undulating.

Extensive outcrop of laterite was observed in an area of about 15 to 20 sq km around

Badami town. The exposed sections and freshly-dug wells revealed that the depth of lateritearies from 20 to 25 m. The laterite is confined to the valley portion (530-580 m) and not foundeveloped as cappings on higher surface (610-660 m). Similar types of laterities were observedn the adjoining Ghataprabha valley, especially around Anagwadi village; the early Pleistocenege has been suggested for this laterite formation on the basis of geomorphic evidence.

The field studies of the alluvial formations in the Malaprabha river and its tributary nalaswere made at a number of places. The exposed alluvium is divisible into Older Alluvium and

ub-Recent or Younger Alluvium. The former occurs as discontinuous patches and is made up

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XPLORATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS

f pebbly or sandy gravels and associated kankary silts in shades of brown colour. The YoungerAlluvium made up of non-kankary dark brown silt is found resting against the older depositsnd has a widespread distribution in the region.

Palaeolithic sites around Badami are found in two geomorphic situations viz., alluvialites and surface sites. A number of sites belonging to this category have provided good evidencef Lower Palaeolithic Acheulian industry. The cobbly/pebbly gravels at these sites have yieldedool-kits predominated by finished tools like handaxes, cleavers, etc. A large number of surfaceites, lacking stratified geological context, were located in the region. These are confined toediment surface occurring at an elevation between 550-580 and are situated 3 to 5 km awayrom the present stream channels. The pediment surface occurring at the foot of Koladgi hillss veneered with angular detritus. The artifacts of Lower Palaeolithic Acheulian industry areound scattered on this pediment surface especially in the foothills at Katarki, Khyad, Kendur,

Mahakut and Lakhmapur. These rich Acheulian sites are essentially in situ occurring in relativelyndisturbed context and represent open-air occupation-cum-factory sites located on theediment surface in the vicinity of outcrops of preferred raw materials. These sites are littered

with finished and unfinished tools besides several cores, flakes and innumerable chips indicatingactory debris.

A large number of tools of the Middle Palaeolithic industry were collected as surface findsrom modern channel gravels at Cholchgud, Nandikeshwar, Shivyog-mandir and Nagarhal. A number of natural rock-shelters and caves have developed in the sandstones of Kaladgi

eries. The natural cave known as Shidalfade near Badami is already well known. These rock-helters and caves have yielded tools of Mesolithic industry in association with pottery.

A number of Mesolithic sites were located on the plateau occurring at an elevation of60 m above MSL. The sites are littered with finished and unfinished tools in quite a largeumber and represent occupation-cum-factory sites.

43. EXCAVATION AT KOMARANAHALLI, DISTRICT CHITRADURGA.The Department ofArchaeology and Museum, Government of Karnataka, carried out excavation with a view toxposing Megalithic burials at the site.

Two types of burials, viz., (i) pit-burials with capstone and cairn-circle i.e. Megalithsand III and (ii) pit-burials with cairn circle i.e. Megaliths II (pl. XVIII A) and IV have beenoticed. Two burials of each type were excavated.

Megaliths I and III are represented by a rectangular pit cut into the laterite rock belowhe natural soil. Megalith I, however, did not yield any skeletal remains. It yielded spoutedessels, globular pots, pots with pointed base, legged jars, Black-and-red ware bowls along withpped bowls, conical lids and stand. Iron implements comprise arrowheads, axe, knives, rodstc. Megalith III is characterized by the presence of skeletal remains, pottery comprising smallases of Black-and-red ware bowls and an iron implement. Megalith II is a rectangular pitpl. XVIII B) with skeletal remains, vases of Black-and-red wares, conical lids with whiteaintings, a grinding stone and iron implements. Megaliths IV is similar to Megalith II andielded skeletal remains, Black-and-red pottery, iron implements and stone tools.

The occurrence of white-painted conical lids which were found at Hallur in the

Chalcolithic-Iron age overlap phase (c. 1000 BC) is an important aspect of the excavation atKomaranahalli which is about 12 km to the east of Hallur.

44. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT GULBARGA.In continuation of the last year's (1979-80,. 34) work, K. Paddayya of the Deccan College Post-graduate and Research Institute, Pune,arried out further explorations in the Hunsgi valley in Shorapur Taluk with a view to studyhe Acheulian and other Stonge Age sites of the area. The following are the Acheulian localities:enhatti (Locality V), Kupi (Localities IV, V, VI, VII and VIII), Gulbal (Localities VII and

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INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1980-81- A REV

VIII), Malnur (Locality VI), Kannatgi (Locality VI), Wajal (Localities I, II and III), Arik(Locality IV), Rampur (Locality I), Teggihalli (Locality I), Isampur (Locality I), and Agt(Locality I). .

These localities are found either along the seasonal streams or in the foothill area of limestone and shale tableland. The cultural deposit (50 cm in thickness) rests direcon bedrock. It is overlain by about 3-m thick black cotton soil. At a number of localities the cover has been removed due to agricultural and other activities, thereby exposing the cultuhorizon to surface.

Limestone is the principal raw material of the lithic industry though shale, sandstone schist were also utilized. The finished tools include: handaxe, cleaver, pick, knife, chopping tand hammerstone. Waste products occur at almost all the localities. Fossilized bones ofBCeryus and Equus have been found along with stone artefacts at four localities (WajaRampur I, Teggihalli I, and Kupi IV). It is for the first time in India that animal fossils formpart of food remains have been found in an occupational context at Achulian sites.

A number of Middle Palaeolithic sites have also been found at Benhatti, Gulbal, KuMalnur, Maralbhavi and Agtirth and Mesolithic sites at Gulbal and Agtirth.

45.EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT SHIMOGA.Director of Archaeology and Museums, Goverment of Karnataka, in course of exploration located two Jaina tirthankara sculptures, two chamarbearers and two fragmentary simhasanas (seats), datable to the tenth-eleventh century ADBasavaptna.

46.EXPLORATION IN DISTRICTS SHIMOGA,CHIKMAGALUR AND HASSAN.K. P. PoonachResearch Scholar of the Department of Ancient Indian History and Epigraphy, KarnataUniversity, Dharwar, in the course of his exploration in the Tungabhadra, the Tunga, tBhadra, the Kaveri, the Hemavati and the Kumudwati valleys, discovered Early Stone Atools in these river beds at Pilangere, Vaderpura and Shankaragatta (Bhadravati Taluk), Sud(Hosanagara Taluk) in District Shimoga, Sompura (Tarikere Taluk), Balehonnur, AgraharLakyajayanti-grand and Nidaghatta (Sakrepatna Taluk) and Bankal (Mudigere Taluk)

District Chikmagalur, Ramnathapura, Kattepura, Basavana Halli and Rudrapatna (ArkalgTaluk), Ramagatta (Hassan Taluk), Mudala Hippe and Kattebelguli (Holenarasipura TaluBenkekere (Arasikere Taluk) in District Hassan. The tools made on quartz pebbles are heavrolled and are essentially core tools comprising handaxes in the largest number, followed bchoppers, discoids and flakes, mostly in Abbevellio-Acheulian and Acheulian stage.

Tools, representing transitional stage from Late Acheulian to Middle Stone Age, collecin mint condition from the cemented bed at Kattebelguli throw much light on the prepacore technique.

Middle Stone Age sites are located at Haraganahalli (Honnali Taluk) in District Shimand Kattebelguli and Kattehosalli (H. N. Pura Taluk) and Cholenahalli (ChannarayapaTaluk) in District Hassan; the tool assemblage comprising varieties of scrapers, points, awls cores are made on quartz and heametite flakes. The occurrence of a fossil bone alowith Middle Stone Age tools at Kattehosalli is noteworthy.

Late Stone Age Sites are discovered at Nyamati and Surahonne Harlehalli (HonnTaluk), Sasivehalli and Chikbasur (Bhadravati Taluk), Salabalu (Shimoga Taluk) and Nilas(Hosanagara Taluk) in District Shimoga, Kadur and Gedlahalli (Kadur Taluk) in DistChikmagalur, Ramagattu (Hassan Taluk), Kettebelguli (H. N. Pura Taluk), MalavanagaShettihalli and Cholenahalli (Channarayapatna Taluk), Chikkatarevala and Halekal Gu(Arasikere Taluk), Kattepura, Basavanahalli and Ramanathapura (Arkalgud Taluk) in DistHassan. Most of them are factory sites, having mostly non-geometrical tools made on quar

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XPLORA TIONS AND E.XCA VA TIONS

The sites noticed at Sasivchalli (Honnali Taluk), Naga Samudra (Bhadravati Taluk),olehatti and Holebenavalli (Shimoga Taluk) in District Shimoga have Neolithic, Megalithic

nd historical cultural remains. Neolithic pottery in the above sites include brown-and-blacknd black wares.

Megalithic burial sites with dolmenoid cist-circles and pit-circles were noticed ataduvinahosalli, Shigodu, Sompura and Ullcnahalli (Arkalgud Taluk), Honnavara, Pungame

nd Kondajji (Hassan Taluk) in District Hassan while menhirs were noticed at Haraganahallind Belimallur (Honnali Taluk) in District Shimoga, Kenchapura (Tarikere Taluk) in Districthikmagalur, Halekal Gudda (Arasikere Taluk), Pratapakumari Nagara (Hassan Taluk),

Mulekalcna Halli (Hole Narasipura Taluk) and Hosalli (Arkalgud Taluk) in District Hassan.Temples of the Hoysala period at Maligenahalli (Shimoga Taluk) in District Shimoga,

omapura (Tarikere taluk), Pillenahalli (Kadur Taluk), Hiremagalur (Chikmagalur Taluk)n Chikmagalur District, Cholenahalli (H. N. Pura Taluk), Honnavara and ShantigramaHassan Taluk), Saraguru (Arkalgud Taluk) in District Hassan worth special mention.emples of Nayaka period were noticed at Ramanathapura (Arkalgud Taluk) in Districtassan, Khandya (N. R. Pura Taluk), Pillenahalli (Kadur Taluk), Balehole and Haluvalli

Kalasa Taluk) in District Chikmagalur. At Gavatur in Hosangara Taluk of District Shimoga,

small temple, built of laterite blocks with a conical sikhara, is noticed. Dilapidated medievalorts of stone blocks and rubble were noticed at Kunchenahalli (Shimoga Taluk) in Districthimoga and Konanur (Arkalgud Taluk) in District Hassan.

47. EXCAVATION IN DISTRICT SOUTH KANARA.P. Rajendran of the Department ofrchaeology, Deccan College, Pune, during the course of his exploration along the riveretravati located two Mesolithic sites at Uppinangadi and Mani, The tools comprise variouspes of scrapers, blades, bores, burines, lunates, flakes and cores. The artefacts fromppinangadi were found in a stratified context on a gravel bed. Some of the artefacts show

vidences of fluted core technique, besides retouching. Along with the implements, a semi-ossilized tooth ofBos sp., has been found at Uppinagadi. At Mani the implements are found onlaterite surface. These industries show close similarities with other Mesolithic industriesported from Konkan and Ratnagiri regions, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

KERALA

48.EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT KOZHIKODE.Raman Numboodiri of the Southern Circlef the Survey carried out exploration in the Western Ghats and brought to light aree-chambered megalithic burial in the lateritic region at a place called Urath in the villageuttiady. The capstones were found missing.

49.EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT MALAPURAM.Raman Numboodiri of the Southern Circlef the Survey during the course of exploration located a ruined temple in Karulayil Range ofilambur reserve forest. Further, a megalithic menhir in granite was also noticed in the area.

MADHYA PRADESH

50.EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT BALAGHAT.V. D. Misra and B. B. Misra of the Depart-ent of Ancient Indian History Culture and Archaeology, University of Allahabad and J. D.lark of the California University, Berkeley, USA, carried out exploration on the outskirtf the Kanha park overlooking the Banjar valley and discovered a site at Bamni-Dadar yieldingicroliths comprising retouched blades, scrapers, lunates and triangles fashioned mainly on

halcedony.

51.EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT BASTAR.In continuation of last year's (1979-80, pp. 39-41)ork Zarine M. Copper, of the Department of Archaeology, Deccan College, Pune, carried out

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INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1980-81A REV

exploration in the area around Chitrakot Falls and village Michanar with a view (i) to obtainispecimens of plants used by the local tribals for food, fishing, medicinal use and constructiand (ii) to finding out additional archaeological evidences for human occupation.

(i) Twenty plant specimens were collected and all of them arc common to areas of ddeciduous vegetation. Out of these collections, four plant species were used for food, two medicinal purposes, one for poisoning fish, and thirteen for construction work.

(ii) Four new open-air Mesolithic factory sites were discovered along the Modko nuljoining the river Indravati in a roughly northeast-southwest direction and that joins it at a poabout 4 km to the east of Chitrakot Falls. This brings the total number of similopen-air stations in this 72 sq km area to fortv-nine, with an average of more than one site psquare km. In addition to the high density of sites, their sizes, which van' from a few squareover 20,000 sq m, suggest the existence of a large human population in this area during Mesolithic times.

The Modko stream cuts through the shale, sandstone and quartzite rocks of the Cuddanseries. Three of the four newly-discovered sites MDK 1, MDK 2 and MDK 3 arc situatedthe western bank whi'e MDK 4 is on the eastern bank. The sites arc located on the highpoints. Quartz and chert constitute the basic raw materials for the artefacts; the quantity

debitage predominates over that of finished artefacts, this being a common factor that linksthe forty-nine sites in this area.

The survey around Michanar covering an area about 100 sq km (between 19-1936

and 8140'-81c45 E) yielded five caves and thirty-four rock-shelters, which may be divid

into three groups: the Maerar Pakna series with four caves and twenty-two shelters; the DhoKonta group having nine shelters; and the Jam Jharia group having one cave and three shelteThe largest of the caves is approximately 30 sq m in area and the smallest 4 sq m. No habitatiodeposit was encountered.

Examination of various sections of the seven nullahs revealed four layers consistingslope deposits, though all of them are rarely represented together in one section. The topmdeposit consists of yellowish brown sandy soil. The second one, comprising bouldery grayielded handaxes and flakes of quartzite. Layers 3 and 4 represent sandy clay and loam.

52. EXCAVATION AT KHAJURAHO,DISTRICT CHHATTARPUR.The Central Circle of tSurvey under D. K. Sinha assisted by S. A. Sali, M. U. Rao, V. N. Peshwani, V. P. VermJ. Prasad, V. S. Vyas and D. K. Lokhande carried out excavations (pl. XIX A) at Khajurahwith a view to exposing the remains of structures.

Excavations at the largest mound (65 m x 40 m), situated about a kilometre to the eastthe western group of temples, yielded the remains of a wall perhaps theprakara of the tembuilt of undressed boulders of quartzite. On the top of the mound to the north-east was exposeruined shrine with a flight of steps on the east, apart from a brick-built courtyard (pl. XIX Similar burnt brick platform was encountered in the mid-level of the mound; a makara-mu

pranala was found near by. Important finds include sandstone sculpture of Uma-Mahesvbeads of terracotta, agate and carnelian, a few pieces of copper rings, carved stones and pifragments.

53. EXCAVATION AT PAGARA, DISTRICT DHAR.V. K. Bajpai assisted by D. KMahashabde and N. K. Pathak of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Governmeof Madhya Pradesh, carried out a trial excavation at the site after getting the newsof the discovery of gold and silver coins respectively belonging to Gupta and Kshatrapa ruleThree cultural periods beginning from the Christian era to the twelfth century were recognizin the excavation.

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Period I (first to third century AD) is marked by abundance of red ware represented byconical bowls, sprinklers, medium-size pots, carinated vessels and basins. About 15 to20 per cent of red ware was treated with bright red slip. A few sherds of black-and-red and blackware were found associated with it.

Period II (fourth to sixth century) is characterized by the presence of shell-bangle, beads,

erracotta figurine, wheel, flesh-rubber, gold piece and carved soapstone fragments. There isno appreciable change in the ceramic industry of the period except the presence of miniaturepots of black ware.

Period III(seventh to twelfth century) is marked by the presence of iron and copper objectsalong with early and late medieval pottery, mostly represented by grey ware.

54. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT DEWAS.In continuation of last year's (1979-80, pp. 41-42)work M. Uma Mahcswara Rao of the Central Circle of the Survey undertook further explo-ation along the

indian archaeology 1980-81 a review

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